AUTO NORMAL

 

Description: This function sets the direction of the displayed plate element normal to a selected reference plate element. The element normal is calculated by using a right hand rule as applied to the element numbering (node 1, node 2, node 3, etc.) to establish the direction of the normal.

 

Usage:

 

1.    DSI prompts:

 >   SELECT PART FOR AUTO NORMAL

 

 

2.   User will be prompted to select a part or an element for a reference normal.  The selected elements will display their current normal direction.  DSI prompts:

>   IS NORMAL DIRECTION ACCEPTABLE?  (Y/N)

?   YES

•   All selected element normals will be made consistent with a referenced element normal.  If normals are reversed for some elements DSI displays:

 >   NORMAL REVERSED FOR XXXX ELEMENTS

NO

•   All displayed element normals will be reversed according to the referenced element normal.

 

Note: Selecting one part at a time is recommended.  Parts that branch off or are separated do not always get adjusted properly.